Get the Facts on Alcohol Abuse

As a somewhat ubiquitous substance, the dangers of alcohol use and abuse are frequently overlooked.

As a substance that most adults can easily obtain from their neighborhood store, or order off the menu at a favorite restaurant, the hard facts about alcohol use and abuse are frequently overlooked. Statistics about alcohol abuse can be quite alarming, however. Placing a spotlight on the damaging effects of alcohol consumption helps bring awareness to, and hopefully helps to fight this nationwide problem.

The Short Term Effects of Alcohol Use

Alcohol has a dose-dependent depressive effect on the body’s central nervous system, and can result in symptoms ranging from mild sedation to marked respiratory depression and death.

The drug ethanol is more commonly called ‘drinking alcohol’ or simply ‘alcohol’. Alcohol is an organic compound, produced in various ways from the fermentation of sugars. Its chemical structure makes it easy for alcohol to cross human cell membranes and, therefore, highly diffusible into all tissues in the body, including the brain. Ethanol acts as a central nervous system depressant, with a wide range of alcohol use effects based on dosage, speed of ingestion and the resultant concentration in the blood over time.

The concentration of alcohol is measured in percentage units of ‘blood alcohol content’ (BAC). Tolerance to the physical influence of alcohol tempers the effects in some individuals but, in general, the following percentage ranges roughly describe the short-term effects possible at different BAC levels.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Not all drinkers stop after a single drink. Furthermore, an evening consisting of multiple drinks doesn’t always occur in isolation. Chronic alcohol consumption can quickly lead to a whole host of detrimental effects. Prolonged heavy drinking can lead to chronic inflammation of the liver (alcohol induced hepatitis) which, over time, secondarily leads to a proliferation of scarring in the liver itself (cirrhosis). The increase in blood pressure and heart rate associated with even moderate drinking over time can lead to an enlarged, underperforming heart (alcoholic cardiomyopathy).

A less commonly known outcome from prolonged alcohol consumption is the increased incidence of a variety of cancers (with risk being heightened even more who smoke in conjunction with drinking). Aside from the personal health impact that alcohol abuse has, one must also factor in an increased association with violent crime, and accidents (car or otherwise).

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that nearly 90,000 people die annually from alcohol related causes, placing it in third place on a list of preventable causes of death in the US.

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Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

Alcohol abuse can nebulously be defined as having maladaptive or unhealthy drinking behavior. This could include drinking too much at a single moment in time, or continuing to drink every day. Most alcohol abusers know that what they are doing is detrimental to their daily lives, but are unable to easily discontinue the behavior. If a person continues to abuse alcohol, they may quickly find themselves meeting the criteria for alcohol dependence. To match the definition of alcohol dependency, a person must manifest at least three of the following:

Tolerance, or the need for increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same desired effect

Withdrawal effects when abstinent

Use of alcohol in quantities or lengths of time greater than intended

A persistent desire to cut down on alcohol consumption

Dedication of large amounts of time and energy in obtaining alcohol

Decreased interest or time spent on social, work or recreational activities due to alcohol use

Continuing to abuse alcohol despite recognizing the existence of a clear physical or psychological problem resulting from alcohol use

If you or a loved one meet the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence, and are ready to seek help, call our toll-free number at (800) 943-0566.

Drinking Too Much – Recognizing Alcohol Overdose

Those who’ve experienced even a single episode of acute alcohol overdose or “alcohol poisoning” would very likely benefit from specialized alcohol treatment.

We previously outlined some of the effects of alcohol based on blood alcohol level. The overdose phenomenon known as “alcohol poisoning” can occur in those higher levels when BAC percentage is so markedly elevated that areas of the brain normally dedicated to life preserving functions such as respiration and heart rate regulation begin to fail. Symptoms of such an acute alcohol overdose may include unresponsiveness, mental confusion, repeated vomiting, cold and/or discolored skin, labored breathing and convulsions. Seek immediate emergency medical help should you witness any of the aforementioned symptoms.

Getting Clean and Sober

There are a number of treatment options available (discussed in more detail below) to aid the transition to a clean and sober lifestyle. If you or a loved one has made the decision to stop drinking, please call (800) 943-0566 or fill out this quick form so we can help get you the support you need.

How an Intervention Works

Interventions seek to increase alcoholics’ desires to quit by confronting them with the effects of their behavior.

Interventionists strive to motivate individuals struggling with alcohol problems to embrace the need for treatment.

Often those struggling with an alcohol problem will show no desire to change their behavior, or they may not even recognize it as being a problem. Interventions seek to increase alcoholics’ desires to quit by confronting them with the effects of their behavior. Employers or therapists can initiate these, but they are thought to be most effective when involving family members and close friends.

During an intervention, affected people communicate, honestly but compassionately, about how they have been hurt by the subject’s alcoholism. This combination of confrontation and support often provides the initial desire for change that is necessary to progress.

Methods for Alcohol Withdrawal and Detoxing

Withdrawing from alcohol can be difficult, uncomfortable and, in some instances, life threatening. Acute alcohol withdrawal shouldn’t be attempted without professional medical guidance and monitoring. Supervised or medically assisted detox entails the use of specific medications to moderate the potentially dangerous physical effects of withdrawal. Additionally, there are also oral medications available to reduce the craving for alcohol that often follows once the initial hurdle of withdrawal has been overcome.

Rehab and Alcoholism Treatment Options

Following withdrawal and detox, a rehab program is usually recommended to equip alcoholics to handle life without alcohol. Depending on the individual case, this can be done either on an inpatient basis or on an outpatient basis with a tailored program. Possible treatments can include:

Addiction education and a variety of therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy

If you want to know more about treatment options available to you or a loved one, call (800) 943-0566 or fill out our simple form to find out about services in your area.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Aftercare is mostly concerned with preventing relapses immediately after treatment. This could involve staying in sober-living residences, which are provided in some cities. These residences do not provide additional treatment, but they do provide a sober environment in which recovering addicts can provide each other with support.

Regular participation in support groups or meetings can strengthen lasting recovery.

Alcoholics Support Groups and Recovery Tools

Because alcohol is so prevalent in society, recovering alcoholics can sometimes find it hard to stay sober, especially during periods of stress or sadness. Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, can be a considerable help in staying sober in the long term. Regular meetings are often held nationwide, enabling those in recovery to find support from others with similar problems. New members may also be assigned a sponsor, an existing member that will provide valuable support and advice, especially during harder times.

Common Questions and Answers about Alcoholism and Problem Drinking

What are some signs of alcohol dependence? Dependency can occur in someone who drinks heavily and repeatedly, and can include tolerance to alcohol, withdrawal effects when abstinent, as well as continued drinking behavior despite recognizing the problem exists.

Can a problem drinker or alcoholic simply cut down their drinking? While a problem drinker may be able to achieve this, a clinically diagnosed alcoholic will not be able to. It is an inherent part of alcoholism that sufferers are unable to moderate their consumption, at least in the long term.

What are the safe levels of drinking? For most healthy adults, two drinks per day for men and one for women is believed to be acceptable, where a drink can be a 12-oz. bottle of beer, a 5-oz. glass of wine or similar. Some people should avoid alcohol completely, such as recovering alcoholics, those on certain medications, those with certain medical conditions, and those driving or using machinery that requires care and concentration.

Can women drink during pregnancy? Research has established that heavy drinking during pregnancy can harm the baby. That said, it is still unknown if there is any safe level, so total abstinence is recommended for pregnant women.

Isn’t alcohol good for my health? While some studies do support that moderate drinking can be beneficial in some cases, the negative health effects of excessive drinking far outweigh these. This should never be used as a justification to continue drinking.